TWO (2) Illegal Vessels Intercepted  

***MEDIA RELEASE***

19th August, 2024. 

Turks and Caicos – On Sunday, 18th August 2024, at approximately 10:17 pm, Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (Marine Unit), with assistance from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, intercepted an illegal migrant vessel near West Caicos.

The vessel was escorted to Providenciales, and the illegal migrants were handed over to Border

Force for processing. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR (144), comprising ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE (112) males inclusive of one (1) minor and THIRTY TWO (32) females inclusive of FIVE (5) minors were detained.

The RTCIPF extends gratitude to its local and international partners, including the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, United States Coast Guard, TCI Border Force and TCI Regiment. This remains an active investigation.

Based on information received, on Monday, August 19th, 2024, at 4:50 a.m., Marine Unit officers responded to an area near Long Bay, Providenciales, where an illegal vessel was intercepted. SEVENTEEN (17) illegal migrants – TEN (10) males inclusive of one (1) minor and SEVEN (7) females were detained.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force wishes to remind the public that under the TCI Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, Sec. 105 (2), any person who assists in the transportation of illegal migrants’ entry to the Islands commits an offence and is liable to  “ (a) on summary conviction to a fine of $20,000 or imprisonment for a term of four years, or to both.”

We are asking anyone with information that may help in these investigations to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.